Arms smuggling into Hamas-run Gaza Strip was also expected to be on the agenda of the meeting, held on the sixth day of an Egyptian-mediated calm between Israel and Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip. "The two leaders will speak about what happens after the calm," an Egyptian presidential source told AFP.

Opening the meeting, Mubarak said that Egypt was working to secure Shalit's release. Mubarak said that "we will discuss Shalit and we are putting efforts into this issue." On his part, Olmert thanked the Egyptian leader for Cairo's role in the Gaza Strip calm agreement. "You filled an important role in creating conditions that stopped the terror from Gaza against Israeli residents. Egypt and Israel are strategic partners."